Interview: Sarah from TeaForBini

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, what you do apart from creativity?

My name is Sarah, I’m 21 and I live in a character home in a sweet little leafy street with my partner Niels, who is from Belgium. Our next door neighbours are musicians which means we are often accompanied by a melodious soundtrack while taking our morning showers. Luckily we have a similar taste in music to them!

For the large part of the year you can find me reading textbooks, as I am in my 5th year of a combined degree in Law/Arts(Communications) at UWA. I also work a couple of shifts a week at an optometrists, where I help people choose glasses. Although most of my time is taken up working and studying, when I get a spare moment I love to get crafty! Not only is it creatively satisfying but it also saves me from drowning in all that legalese.

2. Your shop name is very interesting, how did you come up with that?

I spent a lot of time browsing etsy, seeing what was out there already and listing other names that I liked so that I would have an idea of what I wanted. ‘Bini’ was my starting point as it was my nickname at high school, formulated as a sort of cross between/shortening of ‘albino’ and ‘Albertine’ (the former because I had woefully pale skin, thanks to my Irish Dad, and the latter as a character from a book). My friends were clearly creative (albeit in a convoluted way!).

While I was sitting down brainstorming my shop name I happened to be drinking tea and it struck me how it seemed to be a habit of mine to work more creatively when I had a cuppa in my hand. Walah – Tea For Bini was born!

3. What sort of items do you make and sell?

I’ve sold a variation of items since starting my etsy store about 2 years ago, but can confidently say that I’ve reached a point where I feel there is a real sense of cohesion about my existing product lines. I think most people associated Tea For Bini with my whimsical block canvas paintings of paper aeroplanes. However, the project I hold most dear is my Outdated Technology series, which features illustrations of things like VHS tapes and floppy discs on little round canvases. I began creating these drawings/paintings when I noticed how much people value and enjoy reminiscing. Now, instead of merely verbally lamenting the extinction or declined use of their beloved (and sometimes even mundane) works of technology, they can hang a painting on their wall and thereby immortalise the memory.

I also sell decorated moleskine journals and some other little tidbits such as magnet sets and brooches (I had to made at least one product that was wearable!).

4. I hear you will be selling at the upcoming Made On The Left market, is this your first physical market? Are you looking forward to it?

Yes, that’s right! You can find me there on the second day – Sunday 26th July. I’m super excited as it will be my first ever market. I have always wanted to sell at a MOTL event but have been overseas or had exams scheduled on the same dates as the previous ones.

I’m looking forward to it very much – first and foremost for the novelty of having my own stall (yay) but also as a learning experience. I’m familiar with many of my fellow sellers’ work and I must say I am very lucky to be included with such a talented bunch of West Aussies.

It’s a bit daunting to think of all the preparation I still need to do, but also really fun brainstorming creative ways to display my work. As I’ve traditionally only sold my work online, I’m especially looking forward to meeting some of my buyers face-to-face.

5. What are your hopes for Tea For Bini' in the future?

Well there is a good chance that after the upcoming MOTL market I will have all these lessons and new knowledge under my belt which I will want to use/test again – so perhaps some future markets will be in order. Ideally I would love to be able to further expand Tea For Bini once I graduate and have the time to do so.

6. Where can we find you on the net?

Etsy: http://teaforbini.etsy.com
Blog: http://teaforbini.typepad.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarah.edgar

Fashion Trends Winter 2009 - Purple

According to this site all shades of purple currently feature as a trend in fashion this winter. Other trends you may have noticed include ruffles and bows, lace, tartan and military styles. Whether you follow the whats current or not our Western Australian hand made market is full of fabulous accessories that tie in wonderfully and below are just some examples. All of these sellers will be in attendance at the upcoming Made On The Left Market.










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1. Spring Swallow by Cocoapod
2. Christopher Ring by Osier
3. Bird's Nest Pendant by Starrydesigns
4. Heather by YJDesign
5. Autumnal Crocheted Socks by Yuniko
6. Mohair Spiral Scarf Purple by Plumfish
7. Floral Lampwork Slider Necklace by GlassCandy
8.Presumptuous Showstopping Pearl Bracelet by PrincessLotta
9. Lilac and Tangerine Hand Embroidered Brooch by Polyclarific

Hi There

Myself and my eldest daughter

Hi, I'm Amanda and I'm your guest blogger for the next couple of weeks. If I am to describe myself in a few words I would say I am an eclectic, stay at home Mum of two, artsy, creative, a perfectionist and a Christian who is a Pastor's wife. I love all things related to Africa, the 1950s and creativity. I probably lean more towards the 'art' side of the line than the 'craft' side.

Circus Collection Beads

I have been making and selling my polymer clay creations since December 2006, but consider myself more of a painter and illustrative designer. I have a special fondness for symmetry, pattern and design which I think is reflected in my work.

Polymer clay is, as the name implies, a pliable, polymer compound which is soft like plasticine when purchased but is baked hard after sculpting. It is light weight, non toxic and comes in nearly every colour in the spectrum.

In my on-line shop called Polyclarific I sell everything from jewellery to home-wares and beads. I hand make around 90% of the beads I use in my work and all of the pendants from scratch. The majority of my work is unique and unreapeatable.

Millefiori Style Pendant

Mica Shift Pendant

Before I had my daughters I did a degree in painting at Edith Cowan University but I found it difficult to continue to paint while my first daughter was so small so took up using polymer clay. Now that my second daughter is heading out of her first year and into her second, the painting urge is returning so I have been dabbling with the acrylics a bit more of late (below is my latest painting). I am planning on opening up a second online store on Etsy this year which will focus on selling prints of my illustrations and paintings.

I am looking forward to sharing a few things with you on here over the coming couple of weeks and hopefully you will enjoy reading them.

I also have a blog: http://blogs.oddsocks.net/ahunt/

and a flickr account;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandamichaelhunt/

Bayswater Christmas Market - Stallholder Callout

Bayswater Primary School Christmas Market
Stall Holders Form

Thursday 3rd December 2009
5pm – 8pm
Murray St, Bayswater.

Stall holders are asked to bring their own table, chairs etc for this event. You will need to report to the front of the School Administration to be shown to your allocated area from 3.45pm. Please have your stall completely set up by 4.45pm.

Simply fill out the form below and return to the below address complete with a cheque made out to the Bayswater Primary School P & C, before the 10th November 2009.

Simone Thomas
c/- Bayswater Primary School
Murray St
Bayswater 6053
Western Australia

If you have any queries, please contact Simone Thomas on 6278 2331.

We look forward to seeing you there!
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Christmas Night Markets at Bayswater Primary School


Name of Stall holder _________________________________

Type of Stall ________________________________________

Contact Number_____________________________________

Special Requirements?________________________________

I have enclosed a cheque for the amount of $30

Signed _____________________________________________

Ta Ta for Now!

Hey, Its Lauren, your guest blogger signing off at the end of her two weeks, tomorrow you'll have a brand new person to entertain you. I'll miss you all, you were great company :) do come and visit me at my own little blog. And as a goodbye present I'm posting my five-minute vintage fabric ring tutorial. Its really easy, give it a go! Click on the image to get a big version.

Reading and Drawing, Drawing and Reading

Hi, Dara here. I thought I'd do a post about some things that are refascinating me at the moment. Comics and zines.

I say re because they have always been a part of my life. It started with part one of a Phantom two part double comic from a Royal Show show bag and continued for years. Does anyone else out there remember when the comic shop used to be on Williams St Northbridge, where the deli is now?

Yes, I eventually found the second part of the Phantom double. I think it was the last one I bought, which was nicely symbolic. The only comics that remain in my possession now are The Batman Adventures series one and two. But the artwork is just so, so good and the storylines short and clever I just can't part with them.

So lately I've bought some zines via Etsy and I've been getting very curious about the local scene. Not only because I might be thinking of producing something… (no one is allowed to hold me to this or ask when it's going to happen…it's on the list…ok), but Jessica McLeod of Robot & Monster Industries sent in her application for the next MOTL. She and her husband sold at the first market almost a year ago now! This time I am definitely buying some comics.

So onto some other creative's of Perth…

Steven Finch is the managing editor of an upcoming creative arts journal called 'dotdotdash'. Here's how he described what he and a few friends have decided to sell at the next MOTL:

Hand-made magazines or ‘zines’. As I am part of a collective, there will be a wide selection of zines from a variety of local artists, writers, and designers. These are all imagined, written, drawn, compiled, and designed individually. We will also sell art prints.

And here's Yesterdaysclothes, an Etsy seller in Perth I found via the Shop Local. I just love the name and it makes me smile with memories…

Straight out of Perth (Western Australia) comes a grab-bag of short stories, illustrations, a comic strip, a collage, some reviews, a few articles, collected true stories, instructions to make origami shot glasses and a nifty little recipe for cupcakes... all devoted to the theme of parties.

Something to flick through while you're on the bus, falling asleep with the lights on, or bored senseless at someone else's party!

So I hope you enjoy having a look at some locally produced products that can help wile away these wintery days.

Want to star as our Guest Blogger?

We've had this blog for a bit, and as much as we love to update it all the time with new events, information and loves, we want more.

So we've decided to hand over part of this blog to our readers, by inviting guest bloggers to take part every two weeks. We are really enjoying all the guest bloggers we've had so far, they totally rock our socks off!

We are enjoying finding out more about those involved in the perth creative scene, and are loving to learn new things. This is where you come in. We'd love for you to be a guest blogger!

You need to be -

• Western Australian
• Creatively minded. Whether that be as a seller, a store owner, a buyer or just a watcher. =)
  

Guidelines -
• You can post about anything, as long as it remains family orientated.
• For obvious reasons subjects about art and craft are preferred, but not essential.
• Ideas for posts include advice, markets, selling, online things, marketing, techniques, inspirations, trends, the next 'big' thing, artists, crafters, your work, boutiques, seasonal trends, fashion, TV, music, celebrities.... anything really!

Over the two week period we would love if you could do a minimum of 4 posts, but there is no maximum. :) We would like the first post to be an introduction, then you can post about whatever you'd like.

Please let us know whether you would be interested in participating and we can arrange a timeslot that suits you!

So what are you waiting for? Contact us!

Trash or Treasure?

Lauren/Osier here, back for another informative and interesting blog post (psht, who am I kidding...)

Today I went op-shopping, one of my favourite past-times. I'm lucky that the town where I op-shop, is generally a low socio-economic area, so shoppers arn't looking for the same stuff I am at thrift-stores. They're looking for work/boring clothes, whereas I'm looking for vintage retro delights. I like to think I'm pretty good at finding the good stuff, I went looking for a cardigan today, and found three that were perfect. So I thought that I might share my tips with you.

1. Go to a low socio-economic background area and visit the thrift stores there. Subiaco, Fremantle and Dalkeith have already been stripped to the bone, so dont bother going there.

2. Use these websites to find shops close to you or where you intend on heading. You'll note that I've only listed charity stores. This is because I only shop at charity stores, because feeling good about spending money on clothes is pretty rare.

salvos :: vinnies :: anglicare :: good sammys :: paraquad

3. ALWAYS try on shoes and go for a walk around the store in them. Dont buy them if you're thinking "oh, they'll stretch" because they wont (no matter how cute they are), they've already been worn. Or if they're really high heeled, or they rub, cause they'll give you blisters pretty quick.

4. The dress sections are always my favourite, and basically offer a whole outfit for under $10 most of the time. Make sure you try these on too, as not everything is going to flatter you.

5. This goes without saying, but never buy socks, undies or pantihose/leggings from op-shops. Yuk.

6. If you're struggling to think what to wear something with, either dont buy it or find something in the store that will go with it, otherwise it will be chucked under the bed and forgotten.

7. ALWAYS take a car and your own bags, as many op-shops now have a "no-plastic bag" policy and often dont have anything to replace them. Juggling three pairs of shoes, a dress and a vintage typewriter on the bus home is just going to annoy you.

8. Take note of the price. I've had a couple of nasty surprises when I've gone to checkout and found that the cute jacket I thought was a cool bonus was actually THE most expensive second hand item in the history of the world.

9. This might sound gross, but smell the armpits/crotches of anything you've got your eye on. Chances are that if it stinks, you're not going to be able to get rid of the smell, sorry.

10. Lastly, always wash things at home before you wear them.



Any questions or tips? I'd love to hear them! xoLauren

Open Studio - Tagny Duff

David Jo Bradley - Nine To Five